BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — ON the eve of the St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) Premier League Finals, tensions are rising as a war of words brews between one of the finalist clubs and the refereeing body.
The St. Paul’s Football Club has leveled serious allegations against one of the appointed referees in a press statement. SKNVibes Sports will not reproduce the full statement.
In its claims, the club accused referee Trevester “Chad” Richards of bias but did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
“The St. Pauls Football Club (SPFC) dispatched a letter to the SKNFA regarding the assignment of match officials in the Finals of this year’s Premier League Competition between the St. Pauls Football Club and the Village Superstars Football Club. The letter specifically challenges the assignment of Mr. Travester ‘Chad’ Richards to officiate in any of the upcoming Finals matches,” the clubs statement read.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Referees Department (SKNRD) quickly responded, rejecting the claims and condemning the statement from St. Paul’s FC.
It described the allegations as “unfounded, distasteful, and deeply misleading” and said they unfairly targeted both Richards and the wider refereeing body.
“The assertions contained in the statement from St. Paul’s Football Club not only impugn the character and integrity of Mr. Richards but also cast unwarranted aspersions on the professionalism and credibility of the Referees Department as a whole," the SKNRD said.
St. Paul’s FC listed nine reasons why it believes Richards should not officiate its matches, particularly tonight’s fixture.
In response, the Referees Department outlined four guiding principles that govern its operations: integrity of referees, impartiality in appointments, respect for the game, and rejection of unfounded personal attacks.
"Our referees dedicate countless hours to training, sacrifice personal and family time, and accept the immense responsibility of officiating at the highest levels of the game,” the department said. “While referees, like players, are human and not immune from error, the standard of scrutiny to which they are held is unparalleled. Such dedication warrants respect, not vilification. An attack on one referees’ credibility is an attack on all referees’ credibility”.
The SKNRD reaffirmed its “full confidence in Mr. Richards and in all officials appointed for the 2025 Premier League Finals.”
As the finals kick off, it remains to be seen how St. Paul’s FC will proceed in light of the ongoing dispute.
